The June 2018 primary is about eight months from now and the November general election is only a year in the future. Rep. Dr. Raul Ruiz continues to solicit and receive substantial campaign contributions. Through the end of September, Ruiz had nearly $1.8 million in available cash. At this point two years ago, Ruiz had about $1.29 million available for his second re-election campaign. He went on to raise a total of $3.4 million for his race.
Three challengers against Ruiz have filed preliminary financial paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission. Kimberlin Brown Pelzer and Dan Ball, both of the desert, are entering their first political campaign. Stephan Wolkowicz, from Indio, is a third Republican candidate. He was a candidate in the 2016 race also, but had no donations or expenses.
Since January, Ruiz’s campaign has raised nearly $1.3 million in contributions and spent about $525,000 without a specific opponent. The three Republican challengers did not announce their candidacy until October.
Ruiz has expended more than $100,000 to raise campaign funds. The principal help are Mothership Strategies and consultant Amy Strathdee of D.C.
Although Ruiz has received thousands of contributions, some for as little as $3, more than half of the total funds have been from contributions greater than $2,500.
